Nokia N810 WiMAX Tablet now available, works only in the US
Nokia has begun selling the N810 WiMAX Tablet in the US. With the rollout of WiMAX service around the world (Sprint’s Xohm service in Baltimore, WorldMax’s Aerea in Amsterdam), a number of hardware manufacturers have begun selling devices that take advantage of WiMAX networks. The problem is that if they have a built-in WiMAX chip, it does not mean the laptop or tablet will work in another country that uses a different frequency for WiMAX. Example: the N810 WiMAX Tablet on sale in the US uses the 2.5 GHz frequency.
So how will this expensive (close to $500) little tablet gain access to the Aerea WiMAX service in Amsterdam which uses 3.5 GHz? It won’t.
If you have a laptop and want to use WiMAX service offered in different countries, Motorola has the perfect USB adapter for you: the USBw 100 WiMAX works in three frequency bands: 2.3 GHz, 2.5 GHz and 3.5 GHz. But if you have a Mac, like I do, you’ll have to wait. The Motorola adapter does not work on a Mac; it works only with computers that run the Windows Vista and XP operating systems. WiMAX operators such as WorldMax which runs the Aerea service in Amsterdam do not work with Macs either.
Mac users will simply have to stick to Wi-Fi.
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Actually, Motorola’s USBw100 is available in three different versions; each works in only one band, either 2.3, 2.5, or 3.5 GHz. It is not a multi-band product.
Works only in one band? So I need to carry THREE Motorola USB adapters when I am traveling? That’s ridiculous and it makes WiMAX as far less attractive option for me!
Umm, situation is actually much better than that.
First up, the Nokia N810 WiMAX will work very well on our 2.5GHz pilot network here in the UK, anyone have one in the UK, they are welcome to come try it (that includes Nokia)?
Second, we have a Quad-Band USB Dongle form our good friends at Airspan. It works on 2.3, 2.5, 3.5 and 5.8GHz. As far as I know it is software controlled, you only need one device.
Meanwhile there are about 3 or more Taiwanese OEMs now shipping USB WiMAX adaptors, all of which will work on both 2.5 and 3.5GHz. Of course only 2.5 can be certified at this stage, Q1 09 should see this situation change.